Energy Efficiency Engineer

Abraxas Energy Consulting

Southeast Region  •   Posted September 13, 2024


Hillmann’s Energy Services division, Abraxas Energy Consulting, has an immediate need for an experienced Energy Efficiency Engineer for nationwide coverage to lead facility energy and water assessments and provide other energy consulting services. Abraxas is a nationwide energy auditing and consulting firm that provides energy assessments, training, and software tools to assist facilities in reducing energy and water waste. Together, Abraxas and Hillmann can provide customized Energy Analysis, Energy Accounting, Environmental Health and Safety, Remediation Support, Real Estate Due Diligence, Geotechnical, and Laboratory Analysis services. Abraxas and Hillmann deliver consulting with an uncompromising commitment to customer service, safety, and increasing value and quality to our clients.

As part of our team, an Energy Engineer would typically be responsible for leading on-site energy and water assessments, retro-commissioning activities, field measurement and verification, and field diagnostic testing/deployment. The Energy Engineer is expected to be capable of leading an energy audit following ASHRAE’s Level 2 energy audit methodology for most facilities independently from start to finish. However, the Energy Engineer is also expected to work in small teams, when necessary, on larger projects and to facilitate mentorship of more junior team members. This position requires a high level of individual initiative, responsibility, work ethic and time management skills to meet shifting and overlapping project deadlines. The work will involve regular interaction with clients in person, on the phone, and via email. The Energy Engineer will work with team members to request information, solicit feedback, and clearly define project responsibilities is crucial. The Energy Engineer will also need to communicate with their peers and Project Managers regarding their schedule, roadblocks to their work, and additional support that may be required.

Salary Range: $80K/yr – $130K/yr Dependent on qualifications, experience, and geographic location/cost of living. 

Responsibilities:

Field Tasks

The tasks will range in complexity from one day walk thru site visits to investment grade energy audits to identify energy reduction opportunities in lighting, HVAC, building envelope, water, renewables, controls, and other energy and water using systems.

  • Conduct/lead detailed energy surveys of facilities ranging from simple office or multifamily properties to complex high-rise offices, manufacturing, and/or other energy intensive buildings.
  • Lead building retro-commissioning activities including functional performance testing and monitoring of equipment. Lead measurement and verification field work including visual verification, sampling strategies, and complex field measurements.
  • Conduct energy audits.
  • Adapt to varying field data collection techniques including hand written notes, tablet-based tools, photo logging, review of as-built drawings, review of building control systems, use of measurement devices and hand tools, etc.
  • Deploy field diagnostic equipment such as wireless monitoring systems, data loggers, flow meters, power loggers, multimeters, temperature devices, air flow meters, manometers, lighting meters, current transducers, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), hand tools, etc.

Analysis

  • Keep current with new energy efficiency technologies and strategies.
  • Analyze and evaluate results from measurements including interval energy data, lighting readings, etc.
  • Interpret, and tabulate information from facility mechanical and electrical drawings such as lighting fixture counts, mechanical equipment ratings/locations, piping diagrams, etc.
  • Interpret control strategies and sequences. Analyze and propose optimum strategies for all types of energy using equipment.
  • Complete detailed energy allocations that predict with reasonable accuracy the breakdown of major energy users in a building.
  • Evaluate operations and maintenance savings and estimate the cost to implement energy conservation measures.
  • Exercise experience and research to scope energy improvements to building systems in detail and quantify accurate installed cost estimates.
  • Communicate with and obtain vendor quotes for proposed improvements as needed.
  • Complete life-cycle cost analysis for energy improvement projects.
  • Perform energy and economic analysis of energy efficiency measures using energy modeling software, spreadsheets and other tools.

Reporting and Presentation

  • Document and communicate the results of energy audits through written reports, PowerPoint presentations, meetings, and conference calls.
  • Develop and advise on detailed scopes of work for turnkey implementation of energy and water efficiency improvements.
  • Meet with clients and team members to discuss energy efficiency measures.
  • Keep current with new energy efficiency technologies and strategies.
  • Convey technical concepts and recommendations in a clear, concise, and meaningful way.

Other

  • Review the work of more junior Auditors and Energy Analyst assigned to your own projects and ensure all tasks are completed accurately.
  • Mentor and train supporting Energy Analyst and Auditor in how best to support the engineering project.
  • Conduct peer review of other engineers’ work.
  • Conduct scoping assessments to evaluate client facilities for potential work with Abraxas
  • Support business development through technical input on proposals, quotes, capabilities, etc.
  • Support operations with the optimization of processes and development and improvement of tools, templates, resources, and training content.

Qualifications & Requirements:

  • Preferred: Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other four-year STEM degree AND 3+ years of experience in the analysis of energy using systems in existing buildings.
  • Minimum: 2-year technical, math, or science degree AND 5-10+ years of experience in the analysis of energy using systems in existing buildings.
  • Mastery of the English language – written and spoken.
  • Advanced competency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word and ability to improve.
  • Experience surveying and analyzing the operation of complex mechanical and electrical systems in buildings and their associated control algorithms.
  • Experience writing detailed energy audit and engineering reports including conveying as-found conditions and recommended capital improvements.
  • Experience with the application of advanced mathematical concepts to energy use analysis in buildings.
  • Experience presenting the results of an energy audit or re-commissioning project to small groups of stakeholders.

Additional Valuable Qualifications:

  • 7+ Years of related experience
  • NABCEP Certification: PV Installation Professional (PVIP), PV Design Specialist (PVDS), or PV Installer Specialist (PVIS)
  • Professional Engineer license in any state.
  • A certification in any of the following: Certified Energy Manager, Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional, LEED Accreditation, Certified Energy Auditor, Building Performance Institute, HERS Rater.
  • Experience with self-performing advanced field measurements in existing buildings including: spot and long-term power measurements, 3 phase power measurements, airflow duct traverses, ultrasonic flow metering, combustion gas analysis, airflow hood testing, thermal imaging, non-destructive envelope measurements, etc.
  • Experience in new construction and/or existing building commissioning.
  • Experience developing energy simulation models with DOE-2, eQUEST, TRANE TRACE 700, TRACE 3D or similar programs.
  • Experience creating measurement & verification plans for energy projects.

Travel

While many project assignments are local or regional, the Energy Auditor should expect to be gone from home 5-7 nights per month on average. Abraxas reimburses all travel expenses according to the company’s Travel and Expense Policy.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, stand, talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
  • Distance Vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
  • Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
    • Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point).
    • Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships).

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

  • This position works in an environment with moderate noise level. (Examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic.)
  • This position occasionally works in an environment with a loud noise level.  (Examples: jack hammer work, front row at a rock concert.)
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in high precarious places (examples: ladders and rooftops).
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock.

Benefits:

San Antonio Project Manager at Hillmann - Learn about our BenefitsAbraxas and Hillmann are committed to the professional development and well-being of our employees. The following benefits are offered to employees:

  • Competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer-401(k) plan
  • Tuition assistance
  • VTO – An extra paid day off to volunteer for the cause of your choice and great opportunities to participate in charitable endeavors.

Abraxas Energy Consulting and Hillmann Consulting, LLC are an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disability, national origin, creed, ancestry, familial status, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, domestic partnership or civil union status, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, or genetic information.









Ready. Set. Send Us Your Resume!

    * Only PDF and Microsoft Word files accepted


    *Fields are required

    Thank You!

    Your submission has been sent.

    Click here to submit another request.



    General Qualifications

    • 4 Year Degree (relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree)
    • Well-spoken with excellent verbal and written communication skills
    • Desire to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
    • Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
    • Ability to work on multiple projects and/or tasks simultaneously
    • Excellent time management skills
    • Ability to deal directly with clients in a professional and proactive manner
    • Computer skills including Microsoft 365 & Teams

    Great Place to Work

    Hillmann Consulting, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disability, national origin, creed, ancestry, familial status, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, domestic partnership or civil union status, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, or genetic information. Hillmann Consulting, LLC encourages everyone to apply.